Splash pad

It was 97 degrees with a heat index of 102. There were six kids, two game controllers, and they were on the fourth argument of the day. My solution was a car load of kids, bundle of towels, cooler with drinks and snacks, 50 SPF sunscreen and a short drive to Lakeside Park to that current edifice of controversial local debates, the Splash Pad.

At that moment, I wasn’t really thinking of the plans, the costs, the vitriol of politics. I was thinking of the convenience of not having to drive with six argumentative children to another Splash Pad a minimum of 20 miles away, of making an entire day of packing and traveling and spending less time actually playing. I was thinking of the fun they would have in an outdoor environment that was clean and enclosed in a fence to keep them safe, and keeping my alert watch just a bit easier.

Immediately, the kids’ arguments dissipated in their excitement. The Pell City Splash Pad was busy, but not overly crowded, with open space in their pavilions for parents to sit in the shade and watch the children climb the steps, stand and wait for the water wheel to dump the burden of water over their heads, and then go down the double slide. There were many water features for them to explore, from several slides to numerous water spouts. The lake-themed features of a boat, catfish, and frog, along with the “Bubba’s Bait & Tackle” sign gave added character to the area. A fine mist emitted from what I like to call the “Keebler Elf tree,” creating rainbows in the sunshine, making me wonder when someone would start serving cookies. They do have an assortment of snacks available to purchase if you didn’t bring enough of your own. They are very accommodating of people bringing their own food and drinks, as long as you keep to the pavilion areas.

There are three pavilions available to rent for parties, each furnished with several picnic tables and trash cans. The two small pavilions are available for two hours for $50 and come with five armbands and the large pavilion is $100 for two hours and comes with ten armbands for guest admittance. You can contact Pell City Parks and Recreation at (205) 338-9713 to check for availability. According to Pell City City Manager Brian Muenger, the pavilions have been rented 70 times since the opening of the Splash Pad on May 16, and roughly 6,500 patrons have passed through the gate. “Attendance has been very strong, along with concession revenues, and that has allowed the pad to exceed its operational costs in each month since it opened,” Brian Muenger said.

Those operational costs include ongoing maintenance and the employment of 14 part-time attendants and managers. The employees are trained to be diligent in safety and keeping the location clean. Muenger said he has received many compliments about the staff at the Pell City location specifically. Even with the watchful staff, I try to make sure the kids do not run on the wet concrete, which in their hurry to climb back up the steps to go down the slide again, they always seem to do. Add that to kids trying to climb up the slide, slide down face first or backward, you will inevitably get a few scrapes. You will, at least once, hear the attendants blowing their whistle in an effort to prevent injuries by someone breaking the rules. Always bring band-aids, just in case.

Filled with snacks, and after hours of playing in the water, the kids were sufficiently worn out. Their laughter and smiling faces were worth more than the $3 entry fee for each of them. I know that not everyone will utilize the Splash Pad, but for the parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and family of the thousands of children residing in St. Clair County, it gives a much needed outdoor play area that is safe, clean and a great place to cool off in the summer heat.